T=swc.37
Length: 7.9 miles (12.5km) (or 3.6 miles to end at Shoreham station)
Difficulty: 7 out of 10 (two steep hill climbs: otherwise not over-hilly)
A relatively low cost option for the New year, with Knockholt in zone 6.
This walk approaches the familiar walking territory around Shoreham and Otford in Kent from an unfamiliar angle, passing at first over wooded hills, then climbing up and over a steep ridge to get down to Shoreham.
In the afternoon the route largely reverses the morning of the Otford Circular walk (Book 1, walk 43 on this website), though with one twist that introduces the lovely hidden valley of Magpie Bottom, now a nature reserve, with fine downland flowers and butterflies in the summer.
In winter the walk is not over-afflicted with mud, but the descents into Shoreham and Otford can be a bit slippery. Make sure you have the December 2016 instructions.
Travel: 1005 Sevenoaks train from Charing Cross (1012 London Bridge) arrives 1049. Fastest returns are xx:00 and xx:32 direct to Victoria plus trains at xx:07 and xx:37 via Sevenoaks to Blackfriars or Charing Cross (you need to check what the options are for each train). Tickets are a return to Sevenoaks, but Knockholt is in zone 6, so a single from Otford to zone 6 (St Mary Cray) is an option for some.
Lunch is at Shoreham after 3.2 miles (5.1km), with a number of options.
Tea is 400 metres beyond the station for several choices in Otford itself.
4 comments:
Going.
So am I
I'm starting from Otford and will aim to meet the group at lunchtime in Shoreham
23 off of the train at Knockholt and then 3 who started from Otford and met us in Shoreham so n=26 on the walk in total
This was truly the muddiest day of 2018 - it was unbelievable - this was one tough mudder -anyone would think that we were mud skippers ( alright that is enough about mud - ed )
Other than the mud it was a lovely day though somewhat w=grey-but-no-rain thankfully and cold.
It was great to see a lot of the old faces and catch up on what had happened over the Christmas / New Year holidays for everybody. And all the talk was about such things and I didn’t hear any deep and meaningfull discussions throughout the day - we can start them again soon. Possibly this was because the walk was hard work with all the steep ups and downs ( though stepped in many places ) and continual slipperiness causing a lot of panting and phewing.
The pubs in Shoreham shared us out amongst themselves and 9 of the group ate at the Kings Arms who looked after us wonderfully ( though it was noticed that no Vegan option was to be had ) and I think that the food was well received by all and at a very reasonable price.
After lunch we were off out into the woods and fields and aiming to prove the listing note ‘ in winter the walk is not over-afflicted with mud ‘ was far from the truth and still inaccurate and we succeeded with flying colours ( Enough Already )
Some of the chat in the afternoon was spent reminiscing about the copious amounts of mulled wine that had been enjoyed pre Christmas and that seems to have whetted our appetite for more so some of us finished in Otford with an alcoholic beverage ( or 2 ) and off course there were a few people that we saw in the cafe, presumably having tea and calories.
So an uneventful but very enjoyable day though one of the crew took a tumble in the road and bloodied his nose - I am sure we all wish him well and for no long lasting effects - he did not seem unduly perturbed during the day after the fall.
I hope to see you all again soon
Miss Chief
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